DNR plans controlled goose hunt at Potato Creek

October 31, 2008|By JOHN PAUL WSBT-TV Reporter

NORTH LIBERTY — It's no longer just a nuisance. Now Indiana is calling it a health hazard. Too many geese means hunters will set their sights on a local state park. Officials at Potato Creek State Park and another park in Central Indiana hope a controlled Canada Goose hunt, during the first two weekends in December, will reduce the flock.

The DNR says excrement from flocks of Canada Geese at the park could affect water quality levels at Dog Beach, and put other areas including the popular picnic areas at risk for E-coli, if the hunt does not happen.

"They like the nice open areas of the beach," said Jim Webb, Potato Creek Park Manager. "They start to leave their excrement at the beach which then becomes a problem."

Potato Creek officials say other non-lethal options have not worked. People who visit the park agree the fecal matter found throughout the beach area is an issue. Whether hunting the birds is the best option, is debatable.

"I donÂ?t see that many out there to worry about shooting and killing them," said Tim Richmond.

"It's really bad," said Ron Porman. "Whatever it takes to control it, I'm all for." The waterfowl pose other problems for the park too. The animals follow a vegetarian diet, and their consumption of grasses and plant life around the lakeshore has affected the shoreline leading to erosion.

This will be the first controlled hunt at Potato Creek. Officials said similar hunts have taken place at Summit Park in Central Indiana. They say the results were very effective.

Those hunts are scheduled the weekend of December 6-7 and the following weekend, December 13-14.